Sexually Abused at a Sleepover

02 Jul Sexually Abused at a Sleepover

Sleepovers and Technology?

I remember living for a sleepover while growing up. I was one of those kids who loved spending time at other homes (maybe because I had so many siblings and I needed the break!). On the street where I spent my elementary years, my clan and I rotated between three homes regularly during the summer, enjoying pizza, ice cream, movies, sweets, and late, late nights. Were there risks? Absolutely. We could burn things (and we did). We could share new words (and we did). We could sneakily stay up late and catch an R-rated flick on HBO (and we did).

So, here’s the big question: Has the Internet changed the risk of inappropriate behavior at sleepovers?

“Hi Chris – I am reaching out to you because I know that you are very knowledgeable and passionate about protecting children from the dangers of the internet and porn. I am looking for some help/resources to help guide me through a tough situation I am dealing with in regards to my 11 (almost 12) year old son.

Two years ago, my 11-year old became friends with a boy up the street who came from (what I thought) was a very good home. I’d had lots of conversations with the mom as the kids swam and played, she was very involved, this kid had lots of limitations, was well supervised, etc.

One night my son was invited to stay the night. I allowed this. I told the mom my rules on internet, movies, etc. and she was on the same page. This was two years ago.

A few weeks ago my son came to me and ask if he could talk to me. He told me that that night this child showed him porn (and at the time we had not had the talk with my son about porn or sex so he was very confused) and asked him to lick his privates. To my dismay and serious heart break my son played along. Not only that but he waited two years to tell me.

After that overnight, my son chose to never play with this kid again. I thought that was odd so I asked him why but he just said he was mean and didn’t like playing with him, so I thought nothing of it.

My son and I have a very open relationship, we talk about a lot and he asks me a lot of questions…he’s very comfortable talking to me. It was just too much for him to come to me with this awful thing and confess…it took him nearly two years.

My son has been experiencing A LOT of guilt and shame. I’ve talked to him for hours upon hours about it, I have not shamed him…I’ve let him cry on my shoulder, I’ve prayed over him time and time and time again, I’ve been a rock for him and a safe place to talk. I’ve explained that I wish he would have said no and left, called me, or told his mom, but he didn’t…and he wished he would have too. I’ve told him Jesus forgives all sin, that this situation does not define who you are. He said he was afraid to say no.

He doesn’t smile, his personality has been altered because of this with guilt and shame he cannot deal with. Honestly over the past year or better I’ve noticed him withdrawing, not smiling, just not being his normal joyful self. We hurt, we are angry.”

After reading this, I’m left with a big question…

Are sleepovers ok in the digital age?

Each family has to make its own determination, but there are three things that stand out to me from this story:

(1) Doorways to pornography are everywhere. [especially at sleepovers]

One of the steps I invite parents to take is to make a list of all of the doorways available to their family members. This includes Starbucks, Grandma’s house, McDonalds, your home, school, church, the neighbor’s house, etc.

Next to each doorway, write down either “filtered,” “monitored,” or “both.”

Is the Internet signal filtered and monitored? Meaning, is there some kind of content filtering going on to remove as much of the filth as possible? Two solutions we highly recommend for filtering and monitoring areCovenant EyesandMobicip.

As it pertains to a sleepover: If you’re a teenager, there are very few productive online activities that happen after around 10pm. Should there be a turn-in time for devices? What about shutting off the router at a certain time? What about sitting all the kids down who are sleeping over and explaining your home’s rules for using the internet?

Remember this – if there is access to the unfiltered internet at a sleepover, this gives kids access to one billion websites, of which, anywhere from 10- 20% of them are pornographic. This means 100-200 million pornographic opportunities. Back when I was a kid, this would be no different than having multiple, hormonal kids spend the night in a home with 10 rooms, and in one of the rooms there was an orgy happening, and you just hope they don’t open the door to the wrong room. I might be exaggerating, but I hope the point is made. The unfiltered Internet, whether accessed through a browser or an app (did you know you can get to porn through the Bible app?), is rife with inappropriate content.

Parents are way behind the curve when it comes to having conversations about sexuality and the Internet. In the digital age, there’s no such thing as passive parenting. Google never rests, and parents can’t either. I talk to way too many dads who just “aren’t comfortable” about talking to their sons and daughters about awkward things. I’m sorry, but this just isn’t a choice anymore. Dad, you have to lead. Both parents must engage, but especially dad. Look your kids in the eye and ask them loving, probing questions about how they’re using technology. Not sure how? Then visit our PYE Parent University, where we’ve created videos to watch WITH your kids, creating a shared vocabulary and allowing me to do a bit of the awkward talk on your behalf.

As it pertains to a sleepover: As I said before, I saw nudity at a sleepover. I was exposed to games of “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine.” All of these things happened long before the Internet. But, the Internet increases the risk that it happens earlier, more often, and it provides access to absolutely horrific things. In the testimony above, it was a third grader showing streaming, hardcore pornography to another third grader. This was not possible when I was in third grade while spending the night at Eric’s house.

Sleepovers might provide the perfect environment to carry out certain curiosities based on what they’re seen online.

(3) Relationships with other families matter big-time. [especially at sleepovers]

Facebook and other social media make it appear that each of us has a lot of friends, but who do you really trust with your children? The term “friend” used to carry so much more significance than the watered-down label it’s become.

As it pertains to a sleepover: Because of technology, it’s important for parents to know a lot about the homes where their kids are spending time. This includes understanding the technology rules that exist and having some idea of the value system of the home.

Recently, I received an update from the family who experienced the sexual abuse at the sleepover. Here was mom’s response:

“We have just finished discussing the no sleepover rule for our family going forward. With exception of two to three families who we are very close with and share the same morals, values, Internet restrictions, bedtime routines, and most importantly A love for Jesus.”

What about you? What sleepover opinions or rules to you have in your home? Are sleepovers still ok? Leave us a comment below to continue the conversation.

Peace, Chris

Call to Action – Now What?

In order to equip your kids, are you ready to have awesome conversations about how to use their technology well? Snapchat – pornography – predators – bullies – help! Please visit our Protect Young Eyes Parent University, where you’ll find videos to watch with your kids, creating common vocabulary, and awesome chats. Sometimes, when kids hear someone else talk about awkward things, it helps them really hear it for the first time. Please visit the PYE Parent University today!

Living life to the full! That's why He died and how I try to live. I have an eclectic list of professional experience...CPA, business advisor, youth pastor, development director, now educational resource manager for Covenant Eyes. God shares wild ideas with me about life while I run. I want to show parents how to protect their kids from online dangers, which led to the creation of Protect Young Eyes. How can I help you protect the young eyes in your home?

Tina, I’m glad. You’re definitely on top of it and equipping parents is exactly what you and I love to do! Keep up your awesome work.

Jen Rollins

Posted at 17:09h, 12 October

We stopped doing friend sleepovers several years ago. Although we continued to allow cousin sleepovers. Until last night, that is. My 12 year old son divulged some pretty disturbing activities while having a sleepover with his 14 year old male cousin. We are done. Nothing good happens after midnight anyway; that’s when the Holy Ghost goes to bed.

Quick Links

Protect Young Eyes is a Christian organization, but we believe the information presented in this website is beneficial to anyone, regardless of religious affiliation. Protecting our children is the right thing for all of us to do.